Jets defeat Avalanche to snap 4-game streak | CBC Sports


Connor Hellebuyck was pleased to see his teammates display the kind of scoring power he knows they are capable of producing.

Adam Lowry, Blake Wheeler and Kyle Connor scored over a span of 3:21 in the third period to help the Winnipeg Jets beat the Colorado Avalanche 4-1 on Sunday and hand the visitors a fourth straight loss, the most it’s from the season.

Nikolaj Ehlers also scored a goal late in the third period for the Jets (36-32-11) and Hellebuyck made 30 saves on a night the goalkeeper entered the franchise record book.

“We were solid on our details, we just polished it until the opportunity presented itself,” Hellebuyck said. “That’s the firepower we have in this locker room. We can score anytime.”

Hellebuyck played his 65th game of the season and 380th with the team. That set a franchise record (Atlanta/Winnipeg) for games played by a goalie, one more than Ondrej Pavelec.

WATCH Connor scores the 45th goal of the season as the Jets beat the Avs:

Connor scores the 45th goal of the season and the Jets beat the Avalanche

Winnipeg snaps a 4-game losing streak with a 4-1 win over Colorado, which suffers a season-high fourth straight loss. 0:56

When Hellebuyck’s achievement was announced to the crowd of 14,443 at the Canada Life Centre, fans gave him a standing ovation.

“It just shows that the fans appreciate everything I’ve accomplished here with them,” said Hellebuyck, who also recorded his 200th career victory.

“I’m glad to call Winnipeg my home these past few years and look forward to a few more.”

The Jets, who ended a four-game losing streak with the win, missed the playoffs and will end their regular season with a four-game homestand that began with Colorado.

‘Our work is done for us’

JT Compher scored early in the third period for the Avalanche (55-18-6), who have lost all four games in regulation.

“I think our job is done for us here to get our guys back to playing our game, getting back to our identity,” Colorado coach Jared Bednar said.

“It starts with the work, the competitiveness. It goes to the execution, the details, the full gamut now. We’ve seen it in the last four games.”

Darcy Kuemper stopped 40 shots for the Central Division champions and the top seed in the Western Conference.

Both clubs had chances on the power play in the first two periods.

Colorado had the first man of the game lead 5:23 into the first period, but couldn’t get a shot on goal and the Jets had a scoring opportunity due to understaffing.

Connor intercepted the puck after a poor Avalanche pass attempt, but was stopped by Kuemper on a partial breakaway. Winnipeg led 6-1 on shots at goal at that point.

The Jets started the power play with just under eight minutes left in the period, but Kuemper made two saves. A second power play by the Jets ended with only one shot on goal.

The second period featured a wasted power play from Colorado and a late rally from Winnipeg.

The Avalanche started the power play at the 5:05 mark, but didn’t take a shot at Hellebuyck.

The Jets had their fans cheering in the final minute and a half of the period when Kuemper was tested.

Lowry’s shot went off the post, Wheeler parried on a breakaway and Kuemper saved Ehlers.

The rush finally hit the back of the net at 5:03 of the third when Erik Johnson sent a quick pass to open Compher, who beat Hellebuyck on the glove side.

“We know this last week hasn’t been good enough and we’re trying to make sure that when the playoffs come around we’re doing things the right way,” Compher said. “But there are no excuses in our room. It just hasn’t been good enough.”

Winnipeg responded to Compher’s 17th goal of the season with the trio of goals.

A Josh Morrissey shot came off Lowry at 9:03, Wheeler planted his stick on a puck that bounced past Kuemper at 10:23 and Connor scored his 45th goal of the season at 12:25 to put the 3-1.

Connor beats Laine

Connor’s goal total surpassed former Jets sharpshooter Patrik Laine for the most goals in a single season since the Jets returned to Winnipeg in 2011.

“That’s a pretty good accomplishment, I guess,” Connor said. “There’s a lot of good players that have come through this organization, a lot of talent, a lot of skill. It’s even better to get a win here tonight as well.”

Ehlers finished off the scoring at 16:18.

Colorado hosts the St. Louis Blues on Tuesday. Winnipeg is home to the Philadelphia Flyers on Wednesday.



Reference-www.cbc.ca

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